WRESTLING: Seniors help lead Upper Perkiomen past Perk Valley

RED HILL — Seven seniors, four of whom have played key roles for Upper Perkiomen over the years, took to their home mat for the last time Wednesday night.

Six of them came out on top as the Indians knocked off Perkiomen Valley in a Pioneer Athletic Conference match on Senior Night, 45-18.

The Indians (6-2, 15-5 overall), who will head back to the District 1-Class AAA Team Duals on Friday, put together three straight pins followed by a pair of major decisions early to take a commanding lead. Despite that, the Vikings (1-6, 9-9) refused to go down easily in the middle weights as they gave some of the top Upper Perk wrestlers a run for their money.

“It’s tough looking out there and seeing that many (senior) guys,” said Indian coach Tom Hontz. “It happens. We’ll try to rebuild again next year. It was exciting that six seniors were able to get a win tonight.”

Luke DiElsi started the night with a pin for PV at 285 pounds, but Dustin Steffenino, Eric Miller and Dante Steffenino all fired right back with pins for the hosts, two of them in the first period. Then Dylan Steffenino and Dan Jordan racked up major decisions for a 26-6 lead and it appeared as if the rout was on, especially since Upper Perk had a couple more of its toughest competitors coming up next.

Wolfgang McStravick (30-3) followed with a win at 138 pounds, the 136th of his career, moving him into sole possession of eighth place on Upper Perkiomen’s all-time win list. But it wasn’t easy, as Tyrelle Robinson kept battling after falling behind 6-0 before finally going down, 9-5. Then Indians’ 145-pounder Kyle Fellman (23-6) had pretty much all he could handle before securing a 6-1 decision over Jesse Gey, who was wrestling just his fourth varsity match of the year.

“You’ve got to tip your hat to them,” Hontz said concerning the Vikings. “They’re not giving up easily anymore. Both Wolf and Kyle had to work out there. We’re not used to that. Give Perk Valley credit.”

“That’s one of the things that we were pleased with,” said PV coach Tim Walsh. “We did put up good fights in some of those matches against some of their top kids. That’s something to build on starting tomorrow. “

Ray Young earned the Indians’ eighth straight win via an 8-3 decision for a 35-6 advantage before Nick Giangiulio improved his record to 24-1 on the year for the Vikings with a pin in 1:09. Then Alec Della Donna and Omar Elghawy both won close bouts for the visitors, who continued to show they weren’t rolling over after the one-sided start to the match.

“I think that’s one of the things that we did in our recent matches,” said Walsh. “After pin, pin, pin, some guys stopped wrestling. We addressed that at one of our practices. Tonight they continued to fight against a quality team.”

After that, Casey Cook ran up a 13-5 win for Upper Perk and Indian senior Dan Heinrichs closed out the night with a quick takedown and pin midway through the 220-pound bout.

“Dan Heinrichs is a great kid,” said Hontz. “He came out for us this year to help us out and fill out the lineup. It’s nice for him to get a win tonight.”

Next for the Indians will be the team dual quarterfinals on Friday at Upper Dublin against Boyertown with another match to follow, win or lose.

“I’m just glad we’re going to be part of that, the top eight teams in the district,” said Hontz. “Last year we missed out. There’s a lot of familiar faces.”

NOTESThe Indians could meet Owen J. Roberts in their second match on Friday. … Tyler Godshall, Dante Steffenino, Dylan Steffenino, McStravick, Fellman, Young, Heinrichs and their parents were honored before the match, along with four-year manager Jess Ambrose.